European carriers that use Huawei equipment in 4G networks are not able to switch suppliers for 5G networks because "Huawei is not allowing interoperability to 5G," said AT&T Chairman and CEO Randall Stephenson at an event in Washington, D.C. Stephenson also said China is still behind the US in the 5G race, but slow permitting processes in the US and heavy Chinese investment, coupled with Huawei's 5G dominance, could change the situation.

The advent of Citizens Broadband Radio Service moved a step closer, with the CBRS Alliance saying it has begun work on Release 3 to support 5G networks. Its goal is to enable the launch of commercial 5G service next year.

Precision Phone Repair offers repairs for smartphones and other mobile devices, along with micro-soldering repairs, in Pocatello, Idaho. The store also has a machine that allows technicians to create custom screen protectors for any type of smartphone.

The immediate future of smartphones will be defined by 5G-compatible phones and foldable devices such as the Samsung Galaxy Fold. Although Deloitte has projected 5G smartphone sales to total just 1 million units in 2019, CCS Insight's Shaun Collins expects 5G "to get very big, very quickly" thereafter.

Wireless carriers face opposition from an assortment of groups to their request that federal regulators reserve part of the unlicensed 6 GHz band for licensed 5G services. The carriers contend that building 5G is a more urgent priority than following the wishes of opponents, who want to retain unlicensed spectrum for Wi-Fi networks.

The Federal Communications Commission has adopted rules to clear spectrum in the 95 gigahertz to 3 terahertz frequencies for experimental use to spur technological breakthroughs in communications and set the stage for 6G and beyond. The FCC will make the experimental licenses valid for up to 10 years and has opened up 21.2 GHz of spectrum in that range for testing unlicensed devices.

Analysts are skeptical that consumers will embrace foldable phones that have hit the market at upward of $2,000 even as the prices of new high-end handsets have risen to as much as $1,500. Industry observers blame the trend on fewer people buying new phones, more expensive parts and the end of amortizing prices over a two-year contract.

Fargo, N.D., entrepreneurs Matt and Lindsey Lee have purchased the iCare Electronic Repair store, which provides repairs for smartphones and other devices. The couple also owns Goin' Postal, a shipping company two doors down from the wireless repair shop.

T-Mobile and Major League Baseball have renewed their partnership for four more years in a deal that will bring free MLB.TV Premium to T-Mobile customers, via T-Mobile Tuesdays, until April 1. The carrier will also become Little League International's official wireless sponsor.

The deployment of initial 3.5 GHz CBRS services has been delayed to at least May as testing of the Spectrum Access System for the band continues at the National Telecommunications and Information Administration. The Navy uses the band for coastline radar, so the possibility of commercial use interfering with its operations has caused extra caution on the part of government agencies.